Hearty Lentil & Split-Pea Soup

As winter begins to set in and nights grow colder, cravings for soup start to haunt you. I love soup. It's all I want and the first thing I look for whenever I eat at my cafeteria right now. 

I have especially fond memories involving split pea soup. As a child, my mom and I would bundle up in our winter clothes, walk to Krogers, buy some split pea soup off the hot bar, and sit on the snow covered hill where we would eat our soup. 

I've always loved split pea soup. It's hearty and delicious, that's for sure. Here is a recipe I tried a couple weeks ago.. and it was ah-ma-zing!

Hearty Lentil Split-Pea Soup
Based on this recipe
3 T. olive oil
1/2 large white or yellow onion, diced
2 large carrots, diced
5 cloves of garlic, minced
2 fresh bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste
1 c. dried split peas
1 c. dried lentils
8 c. vegetable broth
juice of one lemon


1. Heat up oil in a large pot. Add the onion, carrot, garlic and bay leaves. Sautee together until onions and carrots are soft. 
2. Add salt and pepper, peas, lentils, and broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let simmer, stirring often, until the peas are soft (about 40 minutes to 1 hour). 
3. Place about half of the soup in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add it back to the pot and then add the lemon juice. 
4. Stir together and cook for about 10 minutes. 
5. Remove the bay leaves. 
6. Serve!


What's your favorite kind of soup?
Much love,